SAXICOLA. 



61 



, Family SAXICOLID^E. 



SAXICOLA, Becubt. 

 jaxicola, Bechstkin, "Oemein. Naturg. 1802." (Typo Motacilla cenanthefL.") 



8axicola «enanthe. 



Motacilla aenanthe, Linn. Syat. Nat. I, 1758, 186. — Saxicola ananthe, 

 Bechst. "Gsniein. Naturg. 1802," and of European authors. — 

 HoLBiiLL, Orn. Grain. (Paulsen ed.), 1846, 23 (Greenland). — Baird, 

 Birds N. Am. 1858, 220 (Europe).— Jonks, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 

 28 (Bermuda).— CouES, Pr. A. N. S. 1861, 218 (Labrador).— Rein- 

 , HAKijT, Ibia, 1861, 5 (Greenland). 

 f Saxicola ananthoides, Vigoks, Zool. Blossom, 1839, 19 (N. W. Ame- 

 rica). — Cassin, 111. I, 1854, 208, pi. xxxiv (Nova Scotia). . ;..r. 

 Hah. A European bird abundant in Greenland, found as an autumnal mi- 

 grant in Labrador, Canada, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, etc. Occurs also in Behriug 

 V Straits. I have not seen any from the United States. • 



This species of late years has been frequently detected in the 

 eastern portions of North America, and may be legitimately con- 

 sidered as belonging to our Fauna. The specimens collected all 

 appear to belong to the Greenland race (see Couea as above), which 

 is considerably larger than that of central Europe, and it is most 

 probable that they have reached North America by the Greenland 

 route. I have never seen a full plumaged spring specimen, all being 

 in autumnal livery, and it is not at all in^probable that those hitherto 

 detected in America are merely winter visitors from Greenland 

 (where it is abundant), and to which they return to breed. The 

 bird may, however, nest in Newfoundland and Labrador. 



The specimen described by Vigors, from the N. "W. coast of 

 America, is considerably smaller even than skins from central 

 Europe, aid may be distinct, as suggested by Mr. Coues. 



(18,073.) 7.00; 12.60: 4,30. 



